Almora/Nainital.
Former Divisional Secretary (2008–2023) of the Educational Ministerial Officers Association, Kumaon Mandal Nainital, Dhirendra Kumar Pathak, has strongly criticized the Uttarakhand government, administration, and departments, stating that if new rights and facilities cannot be provided, at least the existing rights of employees should not be taken away.
He said that under the newly implemented Fargo Rules for promotions, if an employee refuses promotion once, he will not be considered for promotion again. Similarly, the annual transfer policy—which included compulsory transfers from plain to hill areas and vice versa, along with request-based transfers—has been suspended in the name of judicial proceedings. Thus, employees’ right to transfer has also been taken away.
Pathak further highlighted that discrepancies in the Golden Card scheme remain unresolved. Medical facilities are not available in all hospitals, and reimbursement claims under SGHS have been pending for the past four months. Earlier, medical reimbursements were provided free of cost, but now even after deductions of ₹5,000–8,000 from salaries, reimbursements are not being paid.
He also pointed out that under the relaxation policy, promotions were previously ensured within the recruitment year, but now they are being shifted to the following year, causing employees to lose their due benefits. Currently, more than 200 promotions from Junior Assistant to Senior Assistant are stalled in both Kumaon and Garhwal divisions. The delay in promotions until September has created widespread resentment among members, as even though the relaxation order was issued on time, the department failed to release the promotion list, unlike other departments.
Pathak said that departmental officials must develop the ability to take timely decisions so that no cases remain pending. He also demanded quick decisions on long-pending matters such as—
Granting Level 11 status notification and drawing & disbursing powers to Chief Administrative Officers.
Merging the posts of Head Assistant and Administrative Officer to create the post of Principal Administrative Officer.
Creation of additional posts in the offices of Deputy Education Officers.
Creation of necessary posts under Right to Information and Right to Services.
He said employees are feeling deceived and the credibility of the government, administration, and departments in Uttarakhand is rapidly diminishing. The failure to implement the annual transfer policy, which has already been passed in the Assembly, is highly unfortunate.
In a press statement, Dhirendra Kumar Pathak urged the Hon’ble Chief Minister to take cognizance of all pending issues and direct the concerned officials to resolve them at the earliest, so that the rights of employees are protected and there is no violation of human rights.
